Major incident declared in Greater Manchester following rise in coronavirus cases
A rise in cases has led to an announcement confirming a major incident in the area - but the Greater Manchester Combined Authority has emphasised that "the guidelines announced by Government on Thursday remain unchanged."
Manchester City Council has encouraged residents “not to be alarmed” as a major incident is declared in Greater Manchester in the wake of recent coronavirus case spikes.
The Government imposed new restrictions on the region – and other parts of the north – last week, preventing members of separate households from meeting indoors as COVID-19 infections crept up across boroughs.
Outbreaks have led to the proclamation of a ‘major incident’ – but the Greater Manchester Combined Authority has emphasised that “the guidelines announced by Government on Thursday remain unchanged.”
“This move was simply to enable public agencies to access any additional resources they need as quickly and efficiently as possible,” a GMCA spokesperson added.
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Manchester City Council Leader, Sir Richard Leese, called the declaration “standard practice.”
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“Although the Council and partner organisations have been working closely to tackle the impacts of the pandemic since early this year, declaring a major incident means we can ramp this up further,” he added.
“It allows the establishment of a central command structure to oversee the response and enables agencies involved to draw on extra resources.”
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According to the BBC, seven Greater Manchester boroughs are included among the ‘top 20’ worst-affected areas in England – with Oldham second on the list.
The GMCA stated: “The more we stick to the new guidelines and drive the R rate down, the quicker they will be removed.
“Please do not visit someone else’s home or garden unless you have formed a support bubble. Do not meet outdoors in groups of more than six.
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“Please wash your hands thoroughly and as often as possible. Let’s not act selfishly and instead keep the health of our loved ones and neighbours in mind at all times.”
Recent spikes has also seen a pause in the easing of lockdown measures in England, with the grand reopening of casinos, bowling alleys and ice rinks all delayed for at least an extra fortnight.
Local Mayor Andy Burnham has worked alongside the Government to implement restrictions in Greater Manchester, but has since expressed his frustration at their decision to stop shielding from 1 August – calling it “wrong and inhumane.”
I listened to the Government when they came to me late on Thursday & asked for our support for new restrictions.
I am now asking them to listen to us: please reinstate the shielding policy in Greater Manchester from first thing tomorrow.
“The shielding policy should have been extended in the areas subject to the new restrictions,” wrote Burnham on Twitter.
“To end it the day after the changes has left many confused and fearful.”
News
Glitzy Spinningfields bar famed for its bottomless deals shuts down
Daisy Jackson
Popular cocktail bar group Banyan has suddenly closed its glitzy bar in the heart of Spinningfields.
The restaurant and bar, which is part of the Arc Inspirations group that also operates Manahatta and Box, has shut down with immediate effect.
A sign has been posted in the window of the Spinningfields site of Banyan confirming its closure.
Banyan opened in 2018 and was the second site for the brand, which has been operating out of the Corn Exchange since 2015.
Inside, the huge 7,000sq ft space was split into spaces for drinking, dining and dancing, including a large mezzanine and a huge white marble bar.
Banyan is famed for its bottomless deals, whether that’s a classic bottomless brunch or their bottomless Sunday roast (endless Yorkshire puddings, gravy, wine, and roast potatoes).
It also offered two-for-one cocktails, all day every day.
The bar stands on the side of Spinningfields, directly opposite The Ivy and alongside The Alchemist.
Banyan in Spinningfields has shut downThe note in the window of Banyan
But now it has permanently closed its doors, thanking people for their custom over its almost-decade in Manchester.
The sign on the door says: “Banyan Spinningfields is now permanently closed.
“Thank you so much for your custom over the years, we’ve loved being part of this wonderful city and have made so many friends.
“Don’t be a stranger, we’d love to continue to welcome you to our Banyan bar in the Corn Exchange. Team Banyan.”
Council seized £4.3m worth of counterfeit goods from Manchester’s streets in 2025
Emily Sergeant
A whopping £4.3 million of counterfeit goods were seized from Manchester’s streets in 2025, the Council has revealed.
Now that 2025 has come to end, Manchester City Council has announced that its Trading Standards Team seized and destroyed more than 43,500 counterfeit items in the last year – ranging from everything like fake handbags, trainers, and jewellery, to electronic items, sportswear, children’s toys, sunglasses, and much more.
Through ‘exemplary partnership work’ with Greater Manchester Police (GMP), the Council says this criminal industry has taken a ‘substantial hit’ over the past 12 months.
It’s also estimated that the goods seized would have lost the industry up to £43 million.
Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, who is the Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods at Manchester City Council, said the Council hopes this action ‘sends a message that we will not tolerate this harmful trade.’
The Council seized £4.3m worth of counterfeit goods from Manchester’s streets in 2025 / Credit: GMP
“The counterfeit industry was substantially embedded in our communities, but through their diligence and the support of our valued partners we have driven away some of the worst offenders and are beginning the process of regenerating the areas of Manchester that were long blighted by this sort of crime,” she added.
It’s not just counterfeit goods that’ve been targeted either, as a substantial push was also made throughout the year to crack-down on the sale and distribution of illicit tobacco.
In total, 316,625 cigarettes – which is equivalent to nearly 16,000 individual packs – were seized by the Council and police.
258kg of hand rolling tobacco was also seized, as well as more than 18,000 illegal vapes that don’t comply with UK laws or regulations.
Detective Chief Inspector Melanie Johnson, who is the lead coordinator of Operation Machinize for GMP, says the police takes any information it receives about counterfeit trading ‘very seriously’.
“We will continue to investigate all aspects of this criminality to protect our communities from the harms of illegal products.”
The Manc -
3rd August 2020 
